Flushed: How the Plumber Saved Civilization

This is a quick read and does what it sets out to do well. That's particularly remarkable because it sets out to be an overview of the history of plumbing from the 6000 BCE Indus Valley civilization onward and a droll personal account of being obsessed with plumbing. (f.t.6k.BCE.I.V.c.o.)

It's informative (did you know toilet rooms at Roman baths had no privacy?), sweeping (what would happen if we used our sewage to make energy instead of spending energy to clean it?), and very funny. It made me chortle at my lunch counter, in fact. And despite the assumptions I've found people draw when I say it's a hilarious book about plumbing ("poo jokes!?") it's not scatological humor -- it's mostly self-deprecation about how obsessed and show more occasionally foolish the author is. He also, however, has his wisdom, whether in briefly guessing at the roots of scatological humor, or envisioning a healthier, brighter future where we aren't ashamed to talk about toilets and our planet reaps the benefits.

My least favorite parts were the pro- and epilogue, so if you don't like the first few pages, do skip to Chapter 1 and give it another try. show less

There's not really much to the history of plumbing. Man realized water would flow better downhill and in pipes, requiring air to move it along. That's it. W. Hodding Carter tries very desperately to make it witty and interesting and full of fun vignettes of historical plumbers. The good thing is, he mostly succeeds. Half of his short volume is devoted to the actual history of piping in various civilizations across the world; the other half consists of amusing anecdotes about himself and his attempts at plumber journalism. He travel to England and India in search of both the history and the future of sewer systems. He does, at times, get a little too zealous about his subject and, although he never says so, probably makes those around show more him a little uncomfortable (especially when he interviews them on his new toilet). Overall, a quick and playful read.

http://lifelongdewey.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/149/ show less

Who would think that a book on the history of plumbing would be so entertaining? Really enjoyed this history or the toilet and water sanitation.

Flushed and How the plumber saved civilization. A really interesting and easy read about plumbing. I highly recommend it as a good overview and provides insight into how your own house plumbing works, although there is a slight bias towards the USA systems. While its insights are not that surprising to me, as I trained as an engineer, I’m sure that most people are somewhat unaware about how it all works. There are some great plumbing stories too as the author explores various plumbing systems from around the world.

An amusing, anecdotal book about plumbing and sewage systems. Starts off with the Greeks and Romans and ends up with new technology such as biogas digesters and microbial fuel cells. Not an academic book at all, but still interesting.

A fun and entertaining historical account of all things plumbing: toilets, water, sewers, and sanitation. 1/2 historical account + 1/2 personal memoir. A quick and fun read.

If the reader can over-look the use of the word s**t, this book will entertain and fascinate reader with the world of plumbing and its contribution to the health of civilization.